I. Minutes of previous meetings
II. Report of the Faculty Senate Chairperson
III. Report of the Student Senate President
IV. Report of the Graduate Student Organization
V. Report of the Administrative Officers
Associate Provost Burns reported that Robert (Chip) German has been hired as the new VP of Information Technology and that Bob Sauders will serve as Interim until Mr. German begins. Dr. Burns also noted that the Council of Trustees approved the new Mission Statement for MU. He also reported on a successful site visit in April from our Middle States Liaison. Dr. Burns reported that Millersville has been selected to participate in the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education designed to help schools assess their general education and liberal arts programs and identify potential enhancements.
Dr. Burns commented on the first trial held using the campus siren system. He also reminded faculty of the New Student Orientation planned for August 19-24, including meetings with department representatives. Questions can be addressed to Kelly Duncan or Angela Simmons. Dr. Burns also encouraged faculty to participate in the Common Reading Book program coordinated by Dr. Laurie Hanich.
Dr. Burns indicated that the Transfer Articulation has been expanded to include four additional universities and he will be in touch with chairs again about this. He also highlighted several upcoming deadlines: September 26 for UNIV103 FYI course proposals; early November for W recertification for AfAmSt, BIOL, COMM, CSCI, ELED, ENGL, FORL, ITEC, LatSt, NURS, SOWK, SOCA; and likely early November for D course proposals.
VI. Reports of the Faculty Senate Standing Committees
Senator Mollah-Hardy distributed a review of proposed updated functions of the FSAC. Several persons requested a side-by-side comparison of changes to the current language. [see Attachment #1] Dr. Mollah-Hardy will work with Senator Miller to provide this within the updated format for Faculty Senate governance documents.
GCPRC
Senator Mowrey distributed a proposal for Master’s Thesis Guidelines and Requirements to be used by Millersville graduate students.
(1) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
SOWK609: Introduction to Art Therapy, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course that explores principles and techniques of art therapy.
(2) NEW GRADUATE CURRICULUM
MEd Assessment, Curriculum and Teaching. Proposal to create a program to train secondary education teachers the interrelationship of teacher inquiry including the use of student assessment data, action research and teacher reflection with content knowledge development, curricular planning and design and teacher-student interaction. Two concentrations will be offered: Learning About Diversity and Pedagogical Content Knowledge.
(2-1) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
ACT600: Inquiry for Teaching and Learning, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course about action research, assessment of student learning and evaluation of and reflection on teaching.
(2-2) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
ACT610/EDUC610: Critical Literacy in a Diverse Democratic Classroom, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course to help students develop a personal perspective of critical literacy, encompassing reading, writing, speaking and listening, in the secondary classroom.
(2-3) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
SPED610: Serving Secondary Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course to prepare secondary educators to effectively teach students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms.
(2-4) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
ACT700: Seminar 1, 1 credit. Proposal to create a course to guide student development within the ACT program with mentoring from faculty and peers in Seminar 2 and 3 of the ACT program.
(2-5) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
ACT701: Seminar 2, 1 credit. Proposal to create a course to guide student development within the ACT program with mentoring from faculty and peers in Seminar 1 and 3 of the ACT program.
(2-6) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
ACT702: Seminar 3, 1 credit. Proposal to create a course to guide student development within the ACT program with mentoring from faculty and peers in Seminar 1 and 2 of the ACT program.
(2-7) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
ACT641: Foundations of Multicultural Education, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course to lay the foundational framework and knowledge of multicultural education.
(2-8) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
ACT642: Teaching About Diversity, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course that examines multicultural issues in contemporary society and how they impact the educational system, equity, inclusion and cultural tolerance.
(2-9) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
EDFN513: Sexual Orientation and Schooling, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course to build understanding of the history and school climate related to sexual orientation as well as knowledge of current laws, policies and recommended practices for supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and educators.
(2-10) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
ACT650: Science Teaching and Learning, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course to critically examine the latest research about science teachers and learners and use this information to assess current instructional practices with an emphasis on inquiry teaching in science classrooms.
(2-11) NEW GRADUATE COURSE
ACT651: Science Curriculum and Reform, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course to understand science curriculum and the implications of reform initiatives focusing on student learning and to examine how different assumptions and perceived goals of science education influence what is taught, how it is taught and how it is assessed and interpreted.
Dr. John Ward distributed a summary of key points supporting the proposed Masters of Education Assessment, Curriculum and Teaching. He highlighted that the program is based on National Board standards. A question was raised about whether the program would be conducted onsite or via distance learning. Dr. Ward indicated that some courses are blended but the program is not totally online. Another question addressed regarded the implementation date. Dr. Ward noted that Fall 2009 is probably likely though this fall was initially planned. Some discussion was held regarding how to obtain copies of this large document for more general review by faculty. Dr. Ward indicated that he would make electronic files available online.
VIII. Proposed Courses and Programs
(1) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
BIOL140: Introductory Ecology, 3 credits, G2, L. Proposal to create a course to introduce ecology principles to non-biology majors was approved without dissent.
(2) NEW UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ART410: Fine Art Digital Photography, 3 credits. Proposal to create a course to introduce digital photographic equipment, theory and processes was approved without dissent.
(3) CHANGE IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE
ESCI443: Climate Dynamics, W. Proposal to add the W label was approved as amended without dissent.
It was noted that ESCI443 should specify ENGL110 as a pre-requisite. A DeCaria/Mata motion to amend ESCI443 to include ENGL110 as a pre-requisite was approved without dissent.
A Shelor/Luek motion that Dr. Saulius Suziedelis be granted the honorary title of Professor of History Emeritus was approved without dissent. [see Attachment #3]
She also suggested that Senate request access to a lifetime Millersville e-mail address for emeriti faculty. It was noted that even with minimal information space allotted or with simple forwarding capabilities, this would provide a way to maintain contact with these valued colleagues. Strong support was expressed for this idea. A comment was made that emeriti faculty should be given the option to be included on any centralized site.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:06 p.m..
Respectfully submitted,
Aimee L. Miller
Secretary of the Senate